Purple Primate (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} purpleprimate) wrote in ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} who_knits,@ 2008-05-14 23:30:00 |
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The recent copyright issues
As the maintainer ofwho_knits, I probably should have spoken up about the Doctor Who/ BBC/ mazzmatazz/ eBay/ knitting pattern fiasco much earlier.
I thought the whole situation was unfortunate and unfair but also a bit silly and assumed it would blow over and we'd have our patterns back up before the kerfuffle got to the point where Neil Gaiman might blog about it.
I don't thinkwho_knits should have an official policy about the privacy level of pattern posts (but if you are nervous, feel free to friends lock your entries), but I will be adding something to the userinfo/ F.A.Q. regarding profiting from patterns or knit items based on Doctor Who characters or props. That stance being: no profiting allowed.
The reason the BBC's reaction to the patterns is strange and unfair is that the person punished was not the person asking for money. To maintain our righteous indignation, it's important that there not be another example of an individual profiting from the sale of a Doctor Who pattern or finished item. I know no one reading this would think of doing such a thing, particularly at this time, but I thought the community's stance should be stated nonetheless.
I realize this is a confusing issue. People sell Tom Baker scarves on eBay constantly, and I've never heard of the maintainer of the (disappeared) doctorwhoscarf.com dealing with issues of copyright. I'm not certain where the BBC draws the line. Is new-Who is off-limits but classic-Who free game?
My bottom line is this: be careful, use your own judgment, if you're going to try to profit from a Who related knit item, don't do it inwho_knits.
Furthermore, although the BBC is within their rights to complain or request removal of patterns, doing so is not a smart way to encourage their fandom. I think they may need to be reminded of this in a playful, friendly way.
What do you think aboutwho_knits holding an emergency knitalong that results in many knit Adipose being mailed to the appropriate BBC office?
Please comment with your thoughts.
As the maintainer of
who_knits, I probably should have spoken up about the Doctor Who/ BBC/ mazzmatazz/ eBay/ knitting pattern fiasco much earlier.I thought the whole situation was unfortunate and unfair but also a bit silly and assumed it would blow over and we'd have our patterns back up before the kerfuffle got to the point where Neil Gaiman might blog about it.
I don't think
who_knits should have an official policy about the privacy level of pattern posts (but if you are nervous, feel free to friends lock your entries), but I will be adding something to the userinfo/ F.A.Q. regarding profiting from patterns or knit items based on Doctor Who characters or props. That stance being: no profiting allowed.The reason the BBC's reaction to the patterns is strange and unfair is that the person punished was not the person asking for money. To maintain our righteous indignation, it's important that there not be another example of an individual profiting from the sale of a Doctor Who pattern or finished item. I know no one reading this would think of doing such a thing, particularly at this time, but I thought the community's stance should be stated nonetheless.
I realize this is a confusing issue. People sell Tom Baker scarves on eBay constantly, and I've never heard of the maintainer of the (disappeared) doctorwhoscarf.com dealing with issues of copyright. I'm not certain where the BBC draws the line. Is new-Who is off-limits but classic-Who free game?
My bottom line is this: be careful, use your own judgment, if you're going to try to profit from a Who related knit item, don't do it in
who_knits.Furthermore, although the BBC is within their rights to complain or request removal of patterns, doing so is not a smart way to encourage their fandom. I think they may need to be reminded of this in a playful, friendly way.
What do you think about
who_knits holding an emergency knitalong that results in many knit Adipose being mailed to the appropriate BBC office?Please comment with your thoughts.
